Connecting devices

ABSTRACT

An adaptor/connector for conduits for gaseous media includes a casing with a connection at one end for a pipe leading to a consumer unit and a connector combined into one unit with the casing and extending at right angles to the casing and having an outlet for connection to a power source. A central bore in the connector is connected to the central bore in the casing. An infinitely variable throttle valve in the casing is designed to determine the flow between the casing and the connector. A nonreturn valve which opens in the direction away from the connector opens into a distributor channel provided between the central bore and the central bore of the connector. This channel connects directly with the central bore of the connector and with the central bore of the casing in an area which, considering the direction of flow from the connector towards the casing, is upstream of the non-return valve element. A by-pass channel controlled by the throttle valve element is correlated to the non-return valve element in the casing, and branches off at a point downstream from the non-return valve and connects with the central bore of the casing and leads back thereinto.

United States Patent [1 1 Stoll et al.

[ CONNECTING DEVICES [76] Inventors: Kurt Stoll, Lenzhalde, Esslingen;

Gerhard Hihn, Schurwaldstr. 7, Berkheim, both of Germany [22] Filed:July 31,1973

[21] Appl. No.: 384,254

Primary Examiner-Charles .1. Myhre Assistant Examiner-Ira S. Lazarus[57] ABSTRACT An adaptor/connector for conduits for gaseous media [451July 8, 1975 includes a casing with a connection at one end for a pipeleading to a consumer unit and a connector combined into one unit withthe casing and extending at right angles to the casing and having anoutlet for connection to a power source. A central bore in the connectoris connected to the central bore in the casing. An infinitely variablethrottle valve in the casing is de signed to determine the flow betweenthe casing and the connector. A non-retum valve which opens in thedirection away from the connector opens into a distributor channelprovided between the central bore and the central bore of the connector.This channel connects directly with the central bore of the connectorand with the central bore of the casing in an area which, consideringthe direction of flow from the connector towards the casing, is upstreamof the nonreturn valve element. A by-pass channel controlled by thethrottle valve element is correlated to the nonreturn valve element inthe casing, and branches off at a point downstream from the non-returnvalve and connects with the central bore of the casing and leads backthereinto.

9 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures 1 CONNECTING DEVICES BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION Field of the Invention The invention relates to adaptorconnectors for conduits carrying gaseous media, and having a casing witha first connection at one end, for example, a connection for a pipeleading to a consumer unit, and a connector, combined with the casinginto one unit, which extends approximately at right angles to the casingand has an outlet that can be connected, for example, with a powersource, a central bore in the casing connecting with a central bore inthe connector and accommodating within it an infinitely variablethrottle valve element capable of determining the flow between thecasing and the connector, and a non-return valve element which opens inthe direction of the connector.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention toprovide a system of this type which is simple in design, inexpensive inproductions, and occupies little space.

According to the invention, a distributor channel is included betweenthe casing bore and the central bore of the connector. The channel isdirectly connected with the central bore of the connector, and (viewedin the flow direction from connector to casing) it is connected with thecentral casing bore in a zone ahead of the non-return valve elementwhich comprises, for example, a spherical plug, a by-pass ductcontrolled by the throttle valve element being correlated to thenonreturn valve element inside the casing, the duct branching off thecasing bore and ending in the casing bore.

The advantage of the arrangement according to the invention is that itslayout is extremely compact and space saving, the throttleand non-returnvalves being conveniently accommodated inside an elbow connection, bothparts forming a single unit which includes also the non-return valveelement. Nevertheless, the design is extremely simple, the appliancebeing composed of simple, easily made, and inexpensive components whichcan be assembled without difficulty. For example, the casing, therotatable elbow, the throttle valve element, and the non-return valveelement can be combined into one part the axial length of which exceedsa component without a throttle valve element by a very small amountonly. Compared with known arrangements ofa similar type where infinitelyadjustable throttle valves have to be used in the compressed aircylinder for speed control of the forward and reverse strokes of thepiston, which valves have to be mounted individually, the spacerequirements of the arrangement according to the invention are verysmall because the valve elements, namely the throttle valve element andthe non-return valve element are accommodated inside the casing andtherefore do not entail an increase of the external dimensions. Theoperational sequence of a rapid forward stroke followed by a slow returnstroke, or vice versa, which is very often met with in practice whenusing pneumatically controlled equipment can be carried out withouttaking up undue space.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING An embodiment of the invention will nowbe described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanyingdrawing, in which:

FIG. 1 shows an adaptor/connector according to the invention in sideview and axial section;

FIG. 2 shows the arrangement dipicted in FIG. 1 in section on the lineII-II in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows the arrangement according to FIG. I in schematic side view,to a reduced scale;

FIG. 4 shows the arrangement according to FIG. 3 viewed from above inthe direction of the arrow IV in FIG. 3; and

FIG. 5 shows an enlargement of a portion of FIG. I.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In the embodiment shown as anexample in the drawing, the adaptor/connector consists of a casing 1with an outlet or first connection 2 at one end, which can be connectedwith a pipe leading to a consumer unit. and a connector 3, which extendsapproximately at right angles to the casing I with which it is combinedinto one part, and has an outlet or socket 4 for a line connecting withanenergy source. A central bore 5 in the casing connects with a centralbore 6 in the connector and accommodates a non-return valve elementwhich opens only in the direction away from the connector in thedirection of arrow 8.

A distributor channel II is located between the outer surface of casingI, and the surface of the connector 3 which faces it, that is to say,part 3a of the connector which surrounds the smaller diameter part la ofthe casing. The distributor channel 11 is connected, on the one hand,with the central bore 6 of the connector 3 and, on the other hand, withthe central casing bore 5, connection with the central casing bore beingmade, as described below, in a zone ahead of the non-return valveelement, when viewed in the direction of flow. On the other hand, thezone behind the non-return valve element is connected with the zone infront of it through a by-pass channel which becomes effective when thenon-return valve is in its closed position pressed against its seat.

The non-return valve element consists of a spherical body 9 guided inthe central casing bore by a compression spring 12 which urges the ballagainst its seat 13, i.e. in a direction to close the valve. The valveseat 13 consists of a necked-down region in the central bore at the sideof the non-return valve element adjacent the connector. A minimal gap 40(FIG. 5) is left open for the passage of the medium between the seat ofthe nonreturn valve element and the element itself. The gap shown in thedrawing is provided by means of channels or grooves in the seat surfacewhere contact is made between the non-return valve and its seat.Alternatively, an arrangement could, for example, be made where thespherical body of the non-return valve element is furnished with anumber of flats which are conveniently distributed evenly around thecircumference. The medium can therefore reach the space ahead of thenon-return valve element through the minimal gap from the space behindthe non-return valve element, even with the spherical body seated firmlyon the valve seat.

In the example illustrated in the drawing the member 15 which supportsthe spring 12 from below has a square or rectangular cross-section,while the portion la (see FIG. 2) of the connector 3 which surrounds theportion 15 has a circular bore 14, so that contact between part 15 andthe circular wall which surrounds it,

is limited to positions which correspond to the corners of the rectangleor square. There are therefore four free internal spaces l6, l7, 18, 19one of which is connected through openings 42 with the interior of thepart and with passage 25. lt should be noted also that the part 15 canrotate inside the portion la as indicated by the arrow 22.

Another arrangement already mentioned when discussing the by-passchannel is a connecting channel between the connector element and thecasing connection, which channel is located in the area that surroundsthe seat of the non-return valve when viewed in the direction of flow,branches off this zone and connects with the space behind the sphericalbody through the opening 42, extending parallel to the central casingbore and connecting with the latter through a channel section 26 whichhas an adjustable flow cross-section, being controlled by the throttlevalve element 7. This throttle valve element 7 takes the form of a screwwhich, as indicated by arrow 27, can be screwed into and out of acorresponding threaded bore in a nut 28 to a greater or lesser depth andwhich has a rounded end section 28 which extends into a space 29. Thediameter of this rounded end is smaller than that of the rest of thescrew, whereby a transition section or step 30 between the two parts,constitutes part of the wall of the channel section which serves as aconnection between the connecting channel and the central casing bore.This step is adjustable in either direction by the screw of the throttlevalve element, which means that this portion of the wall of the channelsection, too, contributes towards the adjustment of the flowcrosssection.

The operations of the arrangement is the following: When, for example, apipe is joined to the connector 3 by the aid of nut 31 to provide forconnection with a source of a pressure medium, a pressure P will act atthe outer end of bore 6, and the medium will normally flow through thecentral bore 6 and thence through the distributor channel and the radialchannel 20, to reach the side of the non-return valve element 9 which isopposite to the spring, and will lift the valve downward off its seat sothat the medium can flow towards the consumer unit, passing throughchannel 32 and outlet 2. However, when it is necessary for the consumerunit to be relieved of pressure, the medium coming from the consumerunit will reach the non-return valve element and act together with thespring load to press the valve element against its seat whereupon a verysmall quantity of the pressure medium can flow off through the minimalgap between the nomreturn valve element and its seat formed by thegrooves in the latter. The medium also flows as indicated by arrow 41(H0. 5) through the connecting channel 25 from where it is admitted intothe central bore of the casing, passing through the connectingchannel-section 26. in depen dence on the position of the throttlelocking element 7 the cross-section of this channei-section can bereduced or expanded appreciably. In its upper position (left hand sidesection, FIG. 1) the flow cross-section is fully expanded, and themedium can flow freely, as fast as desired. On the other hand, when thethrottle element is in its lower position (right hand side section,FIG. 1) the flow cross-section is practically reduced to its extrememinimal size. Theoretically it could be completely closed. By thismethod it is possible to regulate and alter the rate of flow of thereturn stream. The medium leaving the central casing bore 5 reaches thedistributor channel 11 through the radial channel 20, and flows on intothe central bore 6 and thence towards the de-aeration system, a valve inzone P, which is not shown in the illustration, switching from workingpressure to de-aeration and vice-versa.

It can be seen that the connector element is anchored between a part 28projecting from the casing, and a mounting device 35, or between twoprojecting parts, using, of course, the necessary packings 36, 37. Theexternal design of the adaptor/connector is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4,where 28 represents the upper, wider, portion of the casing, 3 is theconnector element, with 3a being the portion which is in contact withthe reduced diameter portion la of the casing l. The connection forpipes leading to the consumer unit is 2, and 4 is the connection to thesource of a pressure medium or, when an intermediate valve is includedin the system, 4 is the connection to the de-aeration system.

Although our invention has been illustrated and described with referenceto the preferred embodiments thereof, we wish to have it understood thatit is in no way limited to the details of such embodiments, but iscapable of numerous modifications within the scope of the appendedclaims.

Having thus fully disclosed our invention, what we claim is:

1. An adaptor/connector for a conduit for a gaseous medium comprising acasing having a central bore with a first outlet connection at one endand a connector combined into one unit with the casing and including aninlet connection, which fits over the housing providing an annulardistributing channel connected therewith, the inlet connection includinga bore therethrough which extends substantially perpendicular to thebore of the housing and communicates with said annular distributingchannel, and a radial channel connecting the distributing channel withthe central bore, a connection between the outlet connection and theannular bore, a check valve means in such connection for normallypreventing the flow of medium from the outlet channel to the annularbore, a connecting channel in the housing parallel to and separate fromthe annular bore, and extending from a point in the outlet member belowthe check valve to the end of the annular bore remote from the checkvalve, and a throttle valve at the end of the annular bore remote fromthe check valve for controlling the opening between the connectingchannel and the end of the central bore remote from the check valve.

2. An adaptor/connector as claimed in claim 1 in which the check valvemeans comprises a valve seat, a ball engageable on the valve seat andmeans pressing the ball against the valve seat, and at least one passageof small cross section between the ball and the seat.

3. An adaptor/connector according to claim I in which the connectorsurrounds said casing and is anchored thereon in the axial direction,the portion of the connector which is in contact with the casing beingheld between two parts projecting from the casing; and the throttlevalve element, which is coaxial with the casing and the non-return valveelement, being inserted into the casing and screwed into it.

4. An adaptor/connector according to claim 3 in which the casingincludes a throttle valve element and co-axially adjacent to it a partwith a smaller crosssection which includes the central bore of thecasing,

the connector comprising a connecting section in contact with thereduced diameter portion of the casing which it surrounds coaxially, andan outer section including the central bore which projectsperpendicularly from the casing, the distributor channel being anannular channel between the outer surface of the casing and the surfaceof the connector which surrounds the easing, and the connectingandby-pass channel between the central bore of the casing and thedistributor channel being contained inside the casing portion which hasthe smaller diameter.

5. An adaptor/connector according to claim 1 in which the distributorchannel comprises a plurality of channel-sections distributed around thecircumference of the casing portion with the smaller diameter, thecross-sections of the channel-sections being rectangular orsegment-shaped, and the sections being interconneeted, the part of theconnector which surrounds the casing having a circular bore, the portionof the casing which lies inside this bore having a rectangularcrosssection and touching the wall of the bore only at positions whichcorrespond to the corners of the rectangle.

6. An adaptor/connector according to claim 5 in which the distributorchannel is connected with the central bore of the casing through aradial intermediate channel which, in the direction of flow from theconnector towards the casing, lies ahead of the seat of the non-returnvalve element.

7. An adaptor/connector according to claim 1 in which a minimal gap isleft open for the flowing medium between the seat of the non-returnvalve element and the non-retum valve element itself, even when thelatter is in its closed position.

8. An adaptor/connector according to claim 1 in which ahead of the zonearound the seat of the nonreturn valve element, looked at in thedirection of flow from the connector towards the casing, a connectingchannel branches off which extends parallel to the central bore of thecasing and connects with the central bore of the casing through aconnecting channel section which is disposed at right angles to thecentral bore of the casing, one wall of the channel section being a wallsection at the throttle valve element so that its flow cross-section canbe adjusted by the aid of the throttle valve element, said wallconstituting. together with the connecting channel and the minimum gapbetween the non-return valve element and the valve seat, said bypasschannel.

9. An adaptor/connector according to claim 8 in which said throttlevalve element comprises a screw which can be screwed into or out of thecasing in a threaded bore which is coaxial with the central bore of thecasing and sealed therefrom, the screw having one end formed as arounded, reduced-diameter portion of the valve element, the transitionsection between the rounded section and the main part of the valveelement constituting said wall portion which can be adjusted in order toalter the flow cross-section of the connection channel.

1. An adaptor/connector for a conduit for a gaseous medium comprising acasing having a central bore with a first outlet connection at one endand a connector combined into one unit with the casing and including aninlet connection, which fits over the housing providing an annulardistributing channel connected therewith, the inlet connection includinga bore therethrough which extends substantially perpendicular to thebore of the housing and communicates with said annular distributingchannel, and a radial channel connecting the distributing channel withthe central bore, a connection between the outlet connection and theannular bore, a check valve means in such connection for normallypreventing the flow of medium from the outlet channel to the annularbore, a connecting channel in the housing parallel to and separate fromthe annular bore, and extending from a point in the outlet member belowthe check valve to the end of the annular bore remote from the checkvalve, and a throttle valve at the end of the annular bore remote fromthe check valve for controlling the opening between the connectingchannel and the end of the central bore remote from the check valve. 2.An adaptor/connector as claimed in claim 1 in which the check valvemeans comprises a valve seat, a ball engageable on the valve seat andmeans pressing the ball against the valve seat, and at least one passageof small cross section between the ball and the seat.
 3. Anadaptor/connector according to claim 1 in which the connector surroundssaid casing and is anchored thereon in the axial direction, the portionof the connector which is in contact with the casing being held betweentwo parts projecting from the casing; and the throttle valve element,which is coaxial with the casing and the non-return valve element, beinginserted into the casing and screwed into it.
 4. An adaptor/connectoraccording to claim 3 in which the casing includes a throttle valveelement and co-axially adjacent to it a part with a smallercross-section which includes the central bore of the casing, theconnector comprising a connecting section in contact with the reduceddiameter portion of the casing which it surrounds coaxially, and anouter section including the central bore which projects perpendicularlyfrom the casing, the distributor channel being an annular channelbetween the outer surface of the casing and the surface of the connectorwhich surrounds the casing, and the connecting- and by-pass channelbetween the central bore of the casing and the distributor channel beingcontained inside the casing portion which has the smaller diameter. 5.An adaptor/connector according to claim 1 in which the distributorchannel comprises a plurality of channel-sections distributed around thecircumference of the casing portion with the smaller diameter, thecross-sections of the cHannel-sections being rectangular orsegment-shaped, and the sections being interconnected, the part of theconnector which surrounds the casing having a circular bore, the portionof the casing which lies inside this bore having a rectangularcross-section and touching the wall of the bore only at positions whichcorrespond to the corners of the rectangle.
 6. An adaptor/connectoraccording to claim 5 in which the distributor channel is connected withthe central bore of the casing through a radial intermediate channelwhich, in the direction of flow from the connector towards the casing,lies ahead of the seat of the non-return valve element.
 7. Anadaptor/connector according to claim 1 in which a minimal gap is leftopen for the flowing medium between the seat of the non-return valveelement and the non-return valve element itself, even when the latter isin its closed position.
 8. An adaptor/connector according to claim 1 inwhich ahead of the zone around the seat of the non-return valve element,looked at in the direction of flow from the connector towards thecasing, a connecting channel branches off which extends parallel to thecentral bore of the casing and connects with the central bore of thecasing through a connecting channel section which is disposed at rightangles to the central bore of the casing, one wall of the channelsection being a wall section at the throttle valve element so that itsflow cross-section can be adjusted by the aid of the throttle valveelement, said wall constituting, together with the connecting channeland the minimum gap between the non-return valve element and the valveseat, said by-pass channel.
 9. An adaptor/connector according to claim 8in which said throttle valve element comprises a screw which can bescrewed into or out of the casing in a threaded bore which is coaxialwith the central bore of the casing and sealed therefrom, the screwhaving one end formed as a rounded, reduced-diameter portion of thevalve element, the transition section between the rounded section andthe main part of the valve element constituting said wall portion whichcan be adjusted in order to alter the flow cross-section of theconnection channel.